Has there ever been a more mercurial player with such an up-and-down career to play for Duke than Grayson Allen?
Freshman: Sparingly used reserve who showed flashes of future excellence for most of the season, before unexpectedly exploding in the national championship game, helping lead his team back from a 9-point second half deficit and a title. Instant Duke legend whose great career was only beginning.
Sophomore: Brilliant All-American caliber player on an undermanned team. Fearless and gutty. Arguably ahead of JJ Redick at the same stage of their respective careers. Also tripped two players, but was forgiven by the supportive American public.
Junior: Suffers total mental breakdown and brings shame on the University only comparable to Penn St. after the Jerry Sandusky scandal by tripping yet another opposing player. America rightly outraged at this appalling behavior. Struggled mightily on court too, as he rightfully should have after such heinous actions.
Senior (first 30 games): Begins season a reformed man and lights up MSU for 37 points, before deferring - as any good senior captain would - to the freshmen for most of the year. Seemingly much more effective without selfish Bagley on the court. Spotty shooting and turnover prone.
Final 3-10 games TBD. Lead Duke to a title playing savvy and mistake-free basketball in the tournament, becoming the first Blue Devil since the superstars from 91-92 to win multiple titles in his career, and his jersey will likely hang from the rafters. Get tossed from a second round blowout loss where he commits 7 turnovers after tripping a fourth innocent opponent and shoving an official, and we can all thank him for 2015 & 2016, but try and forget the remainder of his career.